Six of the plaintiffs are current employees.

The plaintiffs filed suit individually in Blount County Circuit Court in November and December 2004, as well as January and February 2005.

The plaintiffs allege in their respective suits they have had to undergo extensive medical treatment for their injuries.

Although ALCOA received ``proper notice,'' the company has not paid any medical benefits or temporary total disability benefits on the plaintiff's behalf, according to the suits.

The plaintiffs also allege that all medical benefits, temporary total disability, and future medical expenses should be paid by ALCOA.

The plaintiffs claim they've suffered impairment of ``earning capacity'' as a result of injuries and are seeking permanent disability benefits under the state's Workers' Compensation Act.

``(ALCOA) is looking into each of these suits, and we will take action on those that do, in fact, have merit. Preserving the hearing of our employees is something that we take very seriously,'' said Mike Infante, ALCOA Communication Manager. ``(ALCOA) has had a hearing conservation program -- including mandatory use of hearing protection and hearing testing -- in place for more than 20 years.''

Knoxville attorney for the plaintiffs, John Dreiser, was not available for comment.

By Darren Dunlap